'Captain America 2' - Hayley Atwell Isn't Returning For the Sequel

In news that's sure to unite all of us together in sadness and grief, Hayley Atwell will not be reprising her role as Peggy Carter in 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier.' It's going to be okay, guys.

While it was said for some time that Hayley Atwell would reprise the role of Peggy Carter in the upcoming 'Captain America' sequel, the actress recently revealed in an interview with Timeout (via ComingSoon) that she will not be returning after all.

And that makes plenty of sense. Seeing her face in a photograph or hearing a reference to her name is enough to remind us that Peggy Carter was an important part of Cap's life, but there's no logical way to have Peggy Carter around with Chris Evans' Captain America in a present-day situation.

But there was a rumor that Atwell would be returning not as Peggy Carter, but as Sharon Carter, Peggy's niece, who is rumored to be the female lead of the film. This information hasn't yet been confirmed or denied, but we do know that a number of talented young actresses have auditioned for the female lead, including Imogen Poots, Alison Brie, Emilia Clarke, and Teresa Palmer.